ELISE MORRIS - LoveIsALove
Available from Bandcamp
Elise Morris - artist, lyricist/composer, vocalist, producer, keyboardist; Sory Ibrahima Diakité - featured artist, vocalist, lyricist/composer; Michele Kaniba Traoré - featured artist, vocalist, lyricist/composer; Alou Sam - featured artist, vocalist, lyricist/composer; Doug Katsaros - synth, orchestrations; Frank Burrows - electric guitar; Christopher Bishop - bass; Warren Odze - drums; Suleymane Kéita - tama (talking drum); Maffa Diabaté - n'goni; Milica Djurovic - 1st violin; Sandra Mijatovic - 2nd violin;
Mina Antanasijevic - viola; Isidora Filipovic - cello
Elise Morris has received worldwide recognition yet somehow managed to remain just under the radar. Her song Mardi Gras reached the number 1 slot on the US iTunes jazz chart and number 3 on Billboard Jazz digital sales, and these are just two of her successful releases. One of her previous releases Dancin' With The Boys, saw Morris blend jazz, pop, theatre, progressive, experimental, folk, and classical into her style - which she calls 'jazzbo.'
The release of LOVEISALOVE is a different direction for Morris but one which feels just right for this artist. I had the pleasure of interviewing her for my last book, and she demonstrated an awareness of other people's situations during the pandemic even though her own world had turned on its head. LoveIsALove is an album of multiple influences recorded in Mali, The Ivory Coast, and New York. It features the talents of Alou Sam, Michele Kaniba Traore, and Sory Ibrahima Diakite. LoveIsALove is enchanting, with numbers sung in English, Bambara, and Pulaar. Morris brings her experience to the recording. She has featured with Joe Jackson on his Heaven and Hell tour, headlined the Water Festival in Sweden as a member of fusion band GeWaDoKa, been music director in concert for Ronnie Spector, and featured vocalist and worked with Cy Coleman, Peter, Paul, and Mary, and many others. Her composing work has been accompanied documentaries, audiobooks, and her music and lyrics have been sued for musicals. She received the New York Foundation for the Arts Fellowship in Music Composition and multiple other accolades.
On LoveIsALove, Morris skillfully blends world sounds with new and exciting musical directions - making her music unboxable and appealing to many people.
The opening to the album features just under half a minute of messages, electronic devices, and disconnected sounds - heralding the album's worldwide direction. Nenna is a sumptuous, evocative song that begins with almost classical string chords before these blend with guitar. Diakite's vocals in Bambara prove that you do not need to understand the words to enjoy good singing. This singer is blessed with a silky, rich voice and has a wide range. It switches to English, with Morris singing the lyrics telling now the story of a child and mother, the mother calming the child by playing piano and singing to her child who misses her. Nenna means mother, and this song feels like a work of love. The vocals from Morris are perfectly pitched, and she demonstrates her range as she soars from chest to upper voice. Traore's additional lines in her honey smooth voice, about how women care and are a gift are gorgeous.
Konotane ( This is The Way It Is) features Alou Sam and tells the story of the world being sorry - for what is unclear, but the emotional pull of the songster draws the ears and heart. Sung in Bambara and Pulaar and written during a concert in Mali, the song draws many worlds together. Alou Sam's delivery is quite extraordinary and this track is a thing of beauty with his marvellous voice and supportive background. ' I say the World is sorry, and so it is, God made the sky and earth as well as the sun, this is the way it is'.....
Balledjo again features Alou Sam and Morris over beautifully worked open string guitar. Sam introduces the number with Morris joining, and the two vocalists sing in harmony, reflection, and sing of beauty, love, and relationships. Morris's voice is pure and powerful and the number is a great vehicle for both musicians.
Boy In Blue is light, uplifting, and opens with clear, fast-paced guitar with a Caribbean lilt. Joined by the keyboard and percussion, the music becomes a toe-tapping, joyful excursion. There is a change of tempo and rhythm, and then we are off again, sauntering and smiling. The piece quietens for almost a minute with solo guitar gently and gradually working the rhythm, giving way to the percussive lead and a freer episode where the drums work a new rhythm that rises as more instruments are introduced, creating a rich and deeply layered texture. Full volume proved tempting on this track. Outstanding.
LoveIsALove is an exciting and slightly crazy delve into numerous rhythms, influences, and vocal styles. From harmonies to wonderful uplifting ululations, this is a lovely track.
An Ni Sou is short but very sweet as Morris and Traor perform to a clearly delighted crowd who clap and cheer the singers. The clarity of the words and the contrast between the two voices - one deep, flowing like cream, the other pure and higher is lovely as they work a folk number telling of a journey to be with their child.
Out of Many is the closing track, and here, Sam sings across tight, driving percussion and a heady mix of brass, keys, and string effects. A tremendous and energy-filled number.
This album is intoxicating and deeply engaging. So many styles, cultural influences, outstanding vocals, and instrumentation deftly reflect the songs' lyrical content and meaning. The vocals from Morris are superb, but so are those from Sam, Traore, and Daikite. In every song is a surprise and in almost every line an emotive pull which makes for an incredible listening experience. Morris has put together something delicious, an enjoyable treat.
Reviewed by Sammy Stein
Available from Bandcamp
Elise Morris - artist, lyricist/composer, vocalist, producer, keyboardist; Sory Ibrahima Diakité - featured artist, vocalist, lyricist/composer; Michele Kaniba Traoré - featured artist, vocalist, lyricist/composer; Alou Sam - featured artist, vocalist, lyricist/composer; Doug Katsaros - synth, orchestrations; Frank Burrows - electric guitar; Christopher Bishop - bass; Warren Odze - drums; Suleymane Kéita - tama (talking drum); Maffa Diabaté - n'goni; Milica Djurovic - 1st violin; Sandra Mijatovic - 2nd violin;
Mina Antanasijevic - viola; Isidora Filipovic - cello
Elise Morris has received worldwide recognition yet somehow managed to remain just under the radar. Her song Mardi Gras reached the number 1 slot on the US iTunes jazz chart and number 3 on Billboard Jazz digital sales, and these are just two of her successful releases. One of her previous releases Dancin' With The Boys, saw Morris blend jazz, pop, theatre, progressive, experimental, folk, and classical into her style - which she calls 'jazzbo.'
The release of LOVEISALOVE is a different direction for Morris but one which feels just right for this artist. I had the pleasure of interviewing her for my last book, and she demonstrated an awareness of other people's situations during the pandemic even though her own world had turned on its head. LoveIsALove is an album of multiple influences recorded in Mali, The Ivory Coast, and New York. It features the talents of Alou Sam, Michele Kaniba Traore, and Sory Ibrahima Diakite. LoveIsALove is enchanting, with numbers sung in English, Bambara, and Pulaar. Morris brings her experience to the recording. She has featured with Joe Jackson on his Heaven and Hell tour, headlined the Water Festival in Sweden as a member of fusion band GeWaDoKa, been music director in concert for Ronnie Spector, and featured vocalist and worked with Cy Coleman, Peter, Paul, and Mary, and many others. Her composing work has been accompanied documentaries, audiobooks, and her music and lyrics have been sued for musicals. She received the New York Foundation for the Arts Fellowship in Music Composition and multiple other accolades.
On LoveIsALove, Morris skillfully blends world sounds with new and exciting musical directions - making her music unboxable and appealing to many people.
The opening to the album features just under half a minute of messages, electronic devices, and disconnected sounds - heralding the album's worldwide direction. Nenna is a sumptuous, evocative song that begins with almost classical string chords before these blend with guitar. Diakite's vocals in Bambara prove that you do not need to understand the words to enjoy good singing. This singer is blessed with a silky, rich voice and has a wide range. It switches to English, with Morris singing the lyrics telling now the story of a child and mother, the mother calming the child by playing piano and singing to her child who misses her. Nenna means mother, and this song feels like a work of love. The vocals from Morris are perfectly pitched, and she demonstrates her range as she soars from chest to upper voice. Traore's additional lines in her honey smooth voice, about how women care and are a gift are gorgeous.
Konotane ( This is The Way It Is) features Alou Sam and tells the story of the world being sorry - for what is unclear, but the emotional pull of the songster draws the ears and heart. Sung in Bambara and Pulaar and written during a concert in Mali, the song draws many worlds together. Alou Sam's delivery is quite extraordinary and this track is a thing of beauty with his marvellous voice and supportive background. ' I say the World is sorry, and so it is, God made the sky and earth as well as the sun, this is the way it is'.....
Balledjo again features Alou Sam and Morris over beautifully worked open string guitar. Sam introduces the number with Morris joining, and the two vocalists sing in harmony, reflection, and sing of beauty, love, and relationships. Morris's voice is pure and powerful and the number is a great vehicle for both musicians.
Boy In Blue is light, uplifting, and opens with clear, fast-paced guitar with a Caribbean lilt. Joined by the keyboard and percussion, the music becomes a toe-tapping, joyful excursion. There is a change of tempo and rhythm, and then we are off again, sauntering and smiling. The piece quietens for almost a minute with solo guitar gently and gradually working the rhythm, giving way to the percussive lead and a freer episode where the drums work a new rhythm that rises as more instruments are introduced, creating a rich and deeply layered texture. Full volume proved tempting on this track. Outstanding.
LoveIsALove is an exciting and slightly crazy delve into numerous rhythms, influences, and vocal styles. From harmonies to wonderful uplifting ululations, this is a lovely track.
An Ni Sou is short but very sweet as Morris and Traor perform to a clearly delighted crowd who clap and cheer the singers. The clarity of the words and the contrast between the two voices - one deep, flowing like cream, the other pure and higher is lovely as they work a folk number telling of a journey to be with their child.
Out of Many is the closing track, and here, Sam sings across tight, driving percussion and a heady mix of brass, keys, and string effects. A tremendous and energy-filled number.
This album is intoxicating and deeply engaging. So many styles, cultural influences, outstanding vocals, and instrumentation deftly reflect the songs' lyrical content and meaning. The vocals from Morris are superb, but so are those from Sam, Traore, and Daikite. In every song is a surprise and in almost every line an emotive pull which makes for an incredible listening experience. Morris has put together something delicious, an enjoyable treat.
Reviewed by Sammy Stein
